It’s not okay to hurt another person.  Just as we come in all shapes and sizes, bullying has many faces and often hides under a mask known as “teasing.”  Whether kids are pushed, shoved, taunted or excluded, called names, threatened, whispered about or cyber bullied, their pain is enormous and the effects can last a lifetime  - much longer than a bloody nose.

Champions Against Bullying (CAB) hopes that a light will go on as you read through these comic strips and realize how much power YOU have to make a difference.  You may even recognize yourself in one of the scenes, either as the bully, victim or bystander.  Be a friend.  Bullies are more likely to pick on kids that are alone.  Friendship often gives victims the self-confidence and support to stand up for themselves.

Violence is not the way to solve problems and bring about peace.

You may think that as long as you’re not the one bullying, you’re not hurting anyone.  That’s not exactly true.  A bystander is the bully’s audience and bullies love an audience.  It makes them feel stronger and more important.  As a bystander, you have the power to help by telling an adult.  As a group, you could tell the bully to stop, that what he or she is doing is wrong and you will not stand by and watch.  Remember:  telling an adult is not tattling.  It’s helping someone get out of trouble.  Bystanders usually feel uncomfortable watching someone being bullied. They know it’s wrong and wouldn’t want to be in the victim's shoes.  Don’t keep bullying a secret – someone else’s or yours.

Learn all about the cowards who use the Internet as their curtain to hide behind and spread hateful messages in seconds.  To learn more and find out what you can do to protect yourself and make smart choices, click here. 

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt